Dancing Dolls, Dulcimers &c

Subject: Dancing Dolls, Dulcimers &c
From: Lanfranc
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 12:14 PM

I feel that I must put in a plug for my old friend Chris Harvey, who made the bowed psaltery that I have used since 1974 and also several superb Appalachian Dulcimers for friends in Germany and England (my own dulcimer was made by George Bowden in Mallorca).

Chris has retired to the depths of the Suffolk (UK) countryside and is occupying his time by making not only psalteries and dulcimers, but also Octave Mandolas and his update on the dancing dolls immortalised in the song "Seth Davey" and elsewhere. We have a couple that he made some years ago, and they are excellent, although we have always found the tune of "Seth Davey" too slow to make them dance properly - they really need a step dance or morris tune to get going!

Chris has created a website to advertise his wares, and you can even watch a video clip of each of his several types of doll in action.

Here it is Dancing Dolls

I commend it to the house !

Alan

Subject: RE: Dancing Dolls, Dulcimers &c
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 03:00 PM

Thanks for the link, Alan.

What a brilliant website! The dolls are superb, and all extremely well characterised. I must get one of these - I especially like the Gus Elen "Coster" doll.

I've just been listening to one of very few sound recordings of a dancing doll (from Suffolk of course!) - but the video clips do add an extra dimension!

Matthew

Subject: RE: Dancing Dolls, Dulcimers &c
From: Pistachio
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 04:34 PM

My sister saw a dancing doll 'performing' at my old folk club, (in Nellies, Beverley, East Yorkshire,) a few years ago and, after taking a couple of photos went back to Scotland and created her own.
Having 'danced out' at her local, Newtongrange Folk Club south of Edinburgh, Gillian was delighted when one of the club members turned up and gave her a dancing mother and child! I believe they were made from wood used down the mine at Newton grange!

There's a French lady, Genivieve, who I've seen at the Hull Sea- Fever Festival, with her dancing doll. They are all so fascinating to watch and a great percussion instrument.
Love the web site. Thanks.
H.

Subject: RE: Dancing Dolls, Dulcimers &c
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 04:40 PM

I've always called them limberjacks.

Subject: RE: Dancing Dolls, Dulcimers &c
From: SharonA
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 04:56 PM

Love the chicken ("Rocky from Rendham"). I can just see him dancing to the "C-H-I-C-K-E-N" song!

Subject: RE: Dancing Dolls, Dulcimers &c
From: GUEST,Scoville at Dad's
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 11:31 PM

You can't beat a limberjack for entertaining kids. Even packs of too-cool Cub Scouts go nuts for them.

Subject: RE: Dancing Dolls, Dulcimers &c
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 11:50 PM

Those are really wonderful, but I esp. LOVE Rocky!! Thanks for the link and congrats to your friend.

kat